The cost of living crisis means we’re all paying more for everyday goods and services.
We know that energy bills are rising at an eye-watering rate from next month, with the price cap going up by almost £700 for those on a default rate paying by direct debit.
Food bills are also estimated to cost us an extra £180 this year, according to experts at consultancy firm Kantar.
Meanwhile, inflation has just surged to 6.2% and there are predictions that it will keep on rising this year.
We’re all feeling the pinch, so it now pays more than ever to cut back where you can - and thankfully there are some simple swaps you can make.
Swap items in your food shop
Take the "Downshift Challenge" - which is where you swap branded goods for cheaper, supermarket-own equivalents - and you could save as much as 30% on your shop.
So if you spend £100 each week on food, that'll be a saving of £30 - over four weeks, this goes up to £120.
If you like the swapped out food, and stick to the cheaper brands, your total savings over a year could amount to over £1,500.
If you're set on your favourite brands, you can still save money by comparing supermarket prices to make sure you're getting the best deal.
Swap to a smart meter
Energy bills are understandably a worry for most families right now.
The regulator Ofgem has confirmed it is increasing its price cap by £693 from £1,277 to £1,971 from April 1 - up by 54% and a huge hit to household bills.
Prepayment customers will be worse off, with a jump of £708 from £1,309 to £2,017.
If you don't have one already, and you're able to get one installed, you could consider getting a smart meter to see if it could help you reduce your bills.
Are you worried about affording your bills? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk
Smart meters give you a breakdown of your energy use, so you could use this information to see where you can cut back in your home to save cash. They could also help you be billed more accurately.
The way they work is, smart meters send your gas and electricity usage automatically to suppliers - this means if you tend to forget to do this regularly, you're less likely to be billed on an estimated usage.
However, that's not to say there haven't been teething problems, including machines that stop responding in earlier models.
Swap your mobile and internet provider
Major telecoms companies including BT, Sky and Virgin are all upping the price of their mobile and broadband deals from the end of this month.
To save money on your phone or broadband, you should compare prices to check you're getting the best deal - or try haggling.
Start by using a comparison website such as CompareTheMarket.com, Confused.com, MoneySupermarket.co.uk or Uswitch.com.
Once you've found a lower price, make a note of it and then call up your current provider and ask if they can beat it.
If they can, and you're happy to stick with your current provider, then you'll find yourself with cheaper bills.
But if they say they can't match it, what you do next depends on the type of contract you've got with your current company.
If you're locked in a contract, you may not be able to switch just yet, or you may have to pay an exit fee.
However, if you're out of contract, and aren't fussed about staying with your current provider, then you should be free to switch away.
Swap your bank account
There are three banks right now that will pay you to switch your current account to them. This is known as a bank switch bribe.
Not only is it free money, but it could be a good move if you're not particularly happy with the customer service at your current bank.
You will need to meet certain eligibility criteria when you switch - for example, you'll often need to pay in a certain amount each month, and sometimes you'll need to be a new customer of that bank (so have never had an account with them before).
You'll also need to use the free Current Account Switch Service (CASS) to complete your move - this will ensure all your regular payments and direct debits are transferred over.
Right now, First Direct will pay you £150 to switch to its 1st Account, while NatWest will also pay £150 to both new and existing customers, plus £3 a month cashback.
Nationwide will pay £100 to new customers or £125 for existing customers, and Virgin Money will give you a £100 experience voucher.
Swap your credit card
If you're paying a high rate of interest on your credit card, then it's time to check if you can switch to 0% interest transfer balance card.
This is where you shift the money owed on one card to a new one that comes with a 0% interest-free period.
At the moment, the longest rate you can get is 0% for 32 months with Sainsbury's Bank while M&S Bank is offering 31 months.
You may not necessarily need the longest period of time though - do a budget and check how quickly you think you can pay it off, as you may find a shorter card but with a lower transfer fee.
Some cards don't charge you to make a budget transfer.
It's worth noting that only people with the best credit ratings will be accepted for the best deals.
After you're interest-free period is up, you will go back to paying interest - normally around 20% APR - so make sure you can afford to pay off your debt.
Swap takeaways for homemade food
The average UK household spends a whopping £1,248 a year on takeaways, according to a study last year by Compare the Market.
This works out at an average of £24 a week - money that could come in handy during the cost of living crisis.
We're not just talking about food, but takeaway coffees as well, particularly if you're now back in the office.
By swapping a weekly pizza or Chinese takeaway to something homecooked, you'll also find you're consuming less calories as well.
One clever mum recently shard her brilliant cooking tip to make Chinese takeaway at home for just 64p a head.
Swap going out for eating in
The same goes for those who are fond of eating out in their favourite restaurant on the regular.
On average, Brits eat out 1.5 times a week, spending up to £53 per meal. That equates to roughly £4,166 spent dining out per year, according to Open Table research.
Of course, it's often just food that eats into your going out wallet. Most people combine dinner with an activity such as cinema or bowling.
Save money by having a dinner party at home with friends, or a romantic night in with your partner.
Swap driving for walking
Petrol prices are soaring. It currently costs £91.87 to fill a 55-litre tank if you’re filling up with petrol, or £98.43 for diesel, according to the RAC.
Unleaded costs 163.59 per litre, while it's 177.26 for diesel.
The eye-watering rates means many drivers should consider leaving their car at home if they can - even for just one or two days a week.
Of course, it isn't always possible for workers not to drive - particularly if you rely on a car for your job.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak last week confirmed a 5p-a-litre cut to fuel duty as part of his Spring Statement - but this will only save drivers around £3.
Swap the gym for home workouts
We all know that the gym isn't cheap - and if you're not making use of your membership, it could be time to quit.
Instead, you could try to replicate your workout from home to save cash, while running on the street is better for your wallet than using a treadmill.
For some people, the gym is a way of life. If you really need the specialist equipment, and you have the space, work out whether you'd be better off buying gym machines for home use.
Swap new clothes for thrifted outfits
Buying second hand clothes is not only better for your wallet, but it's better for the planet too.
Try your local charity shop or car boot sale to hunt out a bargain.
When The Mirror scoured our local British Heart Foundation, we managed to get £400 of clothes including Topshop, Hobbs and Cos for just £60.
If you're not sure where to start, a woman who never buys new clothes has set up her own website that lets shoppers compare prices of second-hand garments.
Of course, the best way to save cash is not buy any new clothes at all.
